Ohio bridge bomb plot suspect wants separate trial

June 19, 2012|Reuters

By Kim Palmer

CLEVELAND, June 19 (Reuters) - One of the five suspectsaccused of trying to blow up a highway bridge in Ohio hasrequested a separate trial, saying he wants to challenge hisco-defendants' assertion that he was the instigator of the plot.

The defense motion filed on Monday said Douglas Wright'sco-defendants told authorities after their arrest that Wrightrecruited them to participate in the plot, and he needs aseparate trial to properly cross-examine them.

Wright and his co-defendants, Brandon Baxter, Anthony Hayne,Connor Stevens and Joshua Stafford, have all pleaded not guiltyto three charges, including the use of weapons of massdestruction, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The men, who federal officials have said had no ties toforeign militant groups, were accused of paying an undercoverFBI agent $900 for what they thought were explosives.

The five self-described anarchists drove to the base of ahighway bridge where they planted two tool boxes they believedcontained C-4 plastic explosives and detonators, according tocourt documents. The men then attempted to detonate the bombsremotely with cell phones, but the bombs were inactive.

Wright's attorney, Anthony Vegh, also requested that thetrial scheduled to begin Sept. 17 in U.S. District Court inAkron be moved to federal court in Toledo, Ohio.

The change of venue to western Ohio was needed, Vegh argued,because jurors were likely to hear evidence about other bombingplots that could have potentially harmed them or their lovedones.

Prosecutors have tapes of Wright discussing other possiblebombing targets around Cleveland, which creates "a direct orindirect connection" to potential jurors in northeast Ohio.